Debunking Myths to

Drive L&D Forward

The Lesson of Potemkin’s Village

Brian Austin

Overview

Introduction

Potemkin’s Village

Lessons from Basketball

Learning Styles

L&D’s Inferiority Complex & HR’s Awkward Relationship

Carpe diem

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Potemkin’s Village

What we can learn from basketball

Learning Styles

Learning Style Poll

• Raise your hand• How many have recently heard a colleague

mention learning styles when justifying a learning design?

Learning Styles MythThe world isn’t, and never was, flat

What does this Mean?

Information retention depends on context

and application

Information storageInformation is stored as a meaning or concept, not as a sensory mode

Context and ApplicationRetentio

n

Storage Basic

Tittle

Context and Meaning

Why do we Care and Why does it Persist?

PersistCareWaste Resources

Create learning that

accounts for all

learning styles

LabelingDangerous. “I’m just

not good at learning

if I have to read.”

RomanticClassically

traditional

Fear & Credibility

Mantras for false

credibility: adult learning

theory

Single source multi modal

output

ROI

Waste

Dangerous

Romantic

Fear

How to Respond Reframe learning styles as a learning

preference: “That’s an important point. We need to consider how people’s preferences might affect their learning.”

Point out that much of the research done indicating learning styles was actually done by companies that profit in the sell of learning style inventories with no supporting independent research.

Other Myths in L&D

Brain trainingLeft and right

brained peopleLearning and

attention issues are linked to IQ

IQ is the primary determinant in a person’s success

Retention:• Read – 10%• Hear – 20%• Do – 30%

L&D’s Inferiority Complex

Stop

The push for better, faster, cheaper

Quality vs. QuantityIf there isn’t data … there isn’t data

Data

Technology implementationProject initiationConference attendance

EphemeralLevels 1 – three/fourSeat time.

Context and Meaning

Fluff Pests

Q v Q Yay

Start

Enhances credibility

CommunicateAnd then shareLessons-Learned

Change managementAdoption ratesImproved results

Effective …Acknowledge

Spirit of innovation.

Celebrate

Failure Apply Milestones Yay

HR and the BusinessPartners or annoying pests ..?

Learning CultureCarpe diem

Brian Austinbrian@brianaustin.org

@brianaustinbp

Thanks!